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                    U.S. Set to Recognize Somali Government

   The United States is set to officially recognize the government in
   Somalia, opening formal diplomatic relations for the first time since
   1993.
   Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and U.S. Secretary of State
   Hillary Clinton are set to exchange diplomatic notes Thursday to
   confirm the new relationship.
   In an interview Thursday with VOA`s Somali Service, President Mohamud
   says the recognition is a "step forward" and a "diplomatic achievement"
   for his government and for the Somali people in general.
   He adds that it will pave the way for Somalia to rejoin international
   bodies, and facilitate the rebuilding of the country.
   Somalia has not had a stable central government since warlords
   overthrew President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. The country endured 20
   years of conflict and lawlessness until U.N.-backed efforts to form a
   new government bore fruit last year.
   Thursday`s meeting will be the first between Clinton and Mr. Mohamud
   since his election to office last year.
   A new parliament sworn in six months ago elected Mr. Mohamud president,
   ending eight years of an ineffective and often chaotic transitional
   government.
   The top U.S. diplomat for African affairs, Johnnie Carson, said the new
   Somali government has made significant progress in stabilizing the
   country and defeating al-Shabab Islamic militants.
   He says U.S.-Somali relations are a long way from where they were when
   militants shot down two American helicopters in October 1993. Scenes of
   dead U.S. solders being dragged through the streets of the Somali
   capital were broadcast worldwide, arousing anger and revulsion in the
   U.S. and elsewhere.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-set-to-recognize-somali-government
   /1585876.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-set-to-recognize-somali-government/1585876.html